US President Donald Trump is set to welcome Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House on Wednesday, amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and renewed diplomatic efforts to limit Iran’s nuclear programme.
Netanyahu is expected to push for a comprehensive agreement that would stop Iran from enriching uranium and restrict its support for regional armed groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah. Before departing for Washington, he said he intended to outline Israel’s position on the principles guiding the negotiations.
Tehran has maintained that it will not scale back uranium enrichment unless Western governments ease sanctions that have placed heavy pressure on its economy.
This visit marks Netanyahu’s sixth trip to the United States since Trump returned to office, more than any other global leader during this period. The Israeli prime minister has consistently described Iran as a direct threat to Israel’s security and has urged Washington to counter Tehran’s regional influence.
In a statement issued ahead of the visit, Netanyahu’s office said any agreement must address Iran’s ballistic missile programme and its backing of allied militant groups.
The diplomatic discussions come as the United States strengthens its military footprint in the region. President Trump has warned that Iran could face consequences if negotiations fail. On Tuesday, he indicated he was considering deploying a second aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East.
The USS Abraham Lincoln was dispatched to the region last month after Trump threatened military action in response to Iran’s internal crackdown on mass protests. In an interview with Axios, Trump said additional naval forces could follow, adding that Iran appears eager to reach a deal and that diplomacy remains an option.
Israeli officials have also reiterated that Israel reserves the right to take independent military action should talks with Iran collapse.
Netanyahu faces pressure from members of his right-wing coalition to secure a far-reaching agreement that fully addresses Israel’s security concerns. Analysts say Israeli leaders fear Washington could prioritize achieving a deal quickly over ensuring strict conditions.
Dan Byman, a professor at Georgetown University, noted that Israel is concerned any agreement might overlook Iran’s missile capabilities or its support for proxy forces. He added that some allies worry Trump may value securing a deal more than its specific terms.
Experts argue that Iran’s leadership may be negotiating from a weaker position following widespread protests and a 12-day air campaign carried out last year by US and Israeli forces. Mohammed Hafez, a Middle East specialist at the Naval Postgraduate School, said Washington and Jerusalem likely believe they have significant leverage.
Trump withdrew the United States from the 2015 nuclear agreement during his first term. His administration resumed talks with Tehran last year in pursuit of a new framework.
Despite heightened rhetoric, some former US officials suggest Trump may seek to avoid a large-scale military confrontation, particularly in an election year. James Jeffrey, a former US ambassador to Iraq and Turkey, said both Washington and Tehran are aware of the political risks tied to open conflict.
Netanyahu’s visit also coincides with fragile negotiations between Israel and Hamas over the next stage of their Gaza ceasefire agreement.
A White House spokesperson described Israel as one of America’s closest allies and said the administration is working to advance the Gaza peace arrangement while strengthening regional security.
The ceasefire, agreed last October, brought an end to a two-year conflict that began with the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, in which around 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage. Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza has resulted in more than 71,000 deaths, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry.
Both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of breaching the truce since it took effect. Progress toward a second phase of the agreement—which includes Hamas disarmament, a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and large-scale reconstruction—has so far been limited.
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